Online Exhibitions

Sanquhar's Story - Words from the Great War

Letter from David McMinn (13)

Period:

20th Century

Description:

One of nine letters from David McMinn to 'Tib'. It was sent from
the RAF Camp in Blandford, Dorset. In it David talks about being
sent cigarettes from home, 'Miligan the fruiter', presumably
somebody the family knew from Dumfriesshire and doing his
washing.

'Sanquhar's Story - Words from the Great War' consists of a
collection of letters written by brothers James and David McMinn,
from Durisdeer near Sanquhar. They were the sons of William and
Janet McMinn. There are nine letters from each brother written to
'Tib' during their time posted at their training barracks in
England. Who was 'Tib'? Both James and David wrote to her regularly
after they enlisted. She was not their mother Janet, and it is
unlikely that she was a sweetheart of either of them, but it is
very possible that she was a sister.

James (Jamie) was the eldest child born c.1897. He signed up to
serve in 1914 and died during active service in 1915, about two
weeks after being sent to the front.

David, born c.1901 was among the first men to enlist with the
Royal Air Force in 1918. He survived the War and afterwards
continued to train with the RAF. He worked his way up from a
Private to an Air Mechanic. There is a record of him emigrating
with his family to New Zealand in 1922.